2002 Dodge Intrepid complaints

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER ( SHE WAS DRIVING MY CAR A 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH 2.7 LITER ENGINE), AND WITH NO WARNING THE THERMOSTAT BEGAN TO RISE. IT WAS A CERTIFIED USED CAR AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR UNTIL THIS OCCURRED. THE CAR BEGAN TO STEAM UNDER THE HOOD AND CUT OFF. MY DAUGHTER STEERED THE CAR OVER TO THE CURB OF A VERY NARROW STREET HOPING IT WOULD START. I CALLED A NEARBY GARAGE TO TAKE THE CAR THERE IF IT STARTED, AFTER THE ENGINE COOLED WE CREPT THE CAR TO THE GARAGE. MY DAUGHTER REMINDED ABOUT HER CHRYSLER SEBRING WITH THE 2.7 LITER DEFECTIVE ENGINE AND HOW IT STOPPED DEAD ON SHE AND HER HUSBAND AT NIGHT AT A GREEN LIGHT BECAUSE OF SLUDGE. WHEN WE ARRIVED AT THE GARAGE, THE OWNER LOOKED AT THE CAR AFTER IT COOLED. HE SAID THAT THE ENGINE WAS ABOUT TO GO AND THAT I NEED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO I MADE IT TO HAVE THEM FIX IT OR TRADE IT. I ASKED IF THE PROBLEM WAS FROM ENGINE TAMPERING, AS I HAD TRIED TO TRADE IT EARLIER AT ANOTHER DEALER AND THE TECH SAID THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN TAMPERED WITH BEFORE I BOUGHT THE CAR AT KERNERSVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE. HE DID NOT KNOW, BUT THAT IN HIS OPINION SHORT OF THEM PUTTING IN A NEW ENGINE, THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. KERNERSVILLE CHRYSLER DODGE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND WOULD NOT TRADE THE CAR NOR OFFERED TO REPAIR IT. I AM A 65 YEAR OLD WOMAN WHO HAS HAD OPEN HEART SURGERY THIS YEAR AND DO NOT NEED THE AGGRAVATION. I AM PAYING FOR INSURANCE AND MAKING CAR PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT C

MY VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR A HEAD-GASKET LEAK. THE DODGE DEALER SERVICING MY VEHICLE ADVISED ME TO GET RID OF THE VEHICLE QUICKLY BECAUSE IT HAS SLUDGE BUILDUP THAT CANNOT BE REMOVED AND THAT IT RUNS A HIGH RISK OF SEIZING UP, WHICH ITSELF CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT AND INJURY. *JB

CAR WAS RUNNING FINE, THEN ONE MORNING ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. CAR WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE CENTER. MECHANIC STATED THAT TIMING CHAIN MUST BE REPLACED AND ENGINE WAS FULL OF SLUDGE. $2400 FOR REPAIR WAS PAID. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS LATER, ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. SAME SERVICE CENTER STATES NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. $2200 FOR REPAIR WAS PAID. DO NOT KNOW IF OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD WITH APPROXIMATELY 94600 MILES. GO FIGURE! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY UNDER NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE HEATER STARTED TO BLOW COLD AIR AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT A VALVE, CONNECTED WITH THE TIMING CHAIN BLEW OUT AND THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FOUND SIMILAR COMPLAINT VIA THE WEB. COMPLIANT # 10099639 ABOUT THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED OR REPAIRED.

CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT AND LOSE ANTI-FREEZE. TOOK INTO A LOCAL NAPA TO GET THERMOSTAT AND UPPER INTAKE HOSED REPLACED(600). WATER PUMP FAILED, TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, GOT TIMING CHAIN KIT AND WATER PUMP FIXED(1200). THEN OIL LIGHT WOULD NOT GO OFF, REPLACED OIL SENDING UNIT AND CLEANED SLUDGE (300). THEY HEARD KNOCKING AND REPLACED STARTER (500). NOW NEED ENGINE AN ESTIMATED(4000). *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH ON A CITY STREET, A RATTLING NOISE CAME FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED THE ENGINE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESTART, AND WAS PUSHED TO A NEARBY INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED ON THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THE BELTS WERE OFTEN CHECKED FOR WEAR AND TEAR. THE SERVICE DEALER DETERMINED THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE HAD A NEW TIMING BELT.

THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY WARM AND IDLES BELOW 700 RPM. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TODAY AND LEARNED THAT THE 2.7 LITER ENGINE CONTAINS SLUDGE. THIS SLUDGE WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE TO FAIL WITHIN 10000 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED. MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. HE ENGINE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB

WHILE DRIVING, THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER THE CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THAT ANY OF THE GAUGES SEEMED TO INDICATE ANY PROBLEMS. THERE WAS NO WARNING! THIS WAS A COUNTRY ROAD SO THERE WASN'T MUCH TRAFFIC, BUT HAD THERE BEEN, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. THE WATER PUMP SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, I AM CURRENTLY SPENDING $1,000 TO REPLACE THE PUMP! THE CAR ONLY HAS 67,000 MILES! *NM

THE CONSUMER HEARD COMPLAINTS OF THE 2002 INTREPID'S ENGINE PROBLEMS. *TS *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE HEARD IN THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUALLY WOULD NOT START. EVENTUALLY, THE ENGINE FAILED TO START. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE WAS BAD DUE TO OIL SLUDGE BUILD-UP AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED.

IT ALL STARTED WITH WHAT I THOUGHT WAS JUST A BROKEN WATER CONNECTOR ON THE TOP OF THE CHRYSLER 2.7 LITER ENGINE IN OUR 2002 DODGE INTREPID. I REPLACED THE PART MYSELF AND THOUGHT THAT IT WAS JUST A SIMPLE ISSUE. BUT THE VERY NEXT DAY MY WIFE WENT TO WORK AND GOT STRANDED WHEN THE CAR OVERHEATED AGAIN BUT THERE WAS LEAK THIS TIME JUST AN EXTREMELY HOT ENGINE. AFTER THE ENGINE COOLED DOWN AND I WAS ABLE TO START IT AGAIN IT WAS CLEAR TO ME THAT THE ENGINE HAD CRATERED AND THAT IT WAS ALL DUE TO AN INTERNAL OIL PROBLEM FROM THE BEGINNING. AS I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE IT HAS BECOME VERY CLEAR THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS ENGINE AND WHEN WE TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL I TOLD THEM ABOUT IT. AFTER TEARING THE ENGINE DOWN THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE PROBLEM WAS THE SAME AS THEM OTHERS DESCRIBED IN THE WEBSITES, OIL SLUDGE CAUSING THE INTERNAL LUBRICATION TO FAIL. THE DEALER GAVE US $800.00 TRADE IN FOR A CAR WORTH $4000.00 WHICH WE HAD WORK VERY HAD TO PAY OFF EARLY. THE ONLY OTHER RECOURSE WAS TO HAVE A USED OR REBUILD INSTALLED AT A COST OF $5500 TO $8500.00 WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. SO NOW WE HAVE A NEW USED CAR AND A MONTHLY PAYMENT AGAIN FOR SOMETHING THAT CHRYSLER KNOWS IS A PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT. *NM

I TOOK MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID TO DEALERSHIP TO CHECK OUT A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND TO HAVE SOME OTHER SERVICE PERFORMED. I TOLD THEM THE FRONT END (WHEELS, STEERING) VIBRATED AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND WHEN BRAKING. SERVICE WAS PERFORMED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE VIBRATION WAS A "TIRE PROBLEM". AS I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME THE VIBRATION PROCEDED TO GET WORSE. WHEN I CHECKED THE VEHICLE IT TOOK ALL OF 5 MINUTES TO FIND THAT THE RIGHT INNER TIE ROD END WAS WORN OUT AND THE SOURCE OF THE VIBRATION. I HAVE SUBSEQUNTLY FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS ENDEMIC OF THE INTREPID, AND AS SUCH SHOULD HAVE BEEN READILY VISIBLE TO A DODGE MECHANIC

SUBJECT: MASTERCRAFT TIRE TREAD SEPARATION COMMENTS: IN MARCH, 2003, I PURCHASED A 2002 DODGE INTREPID USING EBAY. THE CAR HAD 8,000 MILES AND CARFAX SHOWED NO ACCIDENTS. WHEN THE CAR ARRIVED, I NOTICED IT HAD TWO NEW MASTERCRAFT SENSY TIRES ON THE FRONT, UNUSUAL FOR THAT LOW MILEAGE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE RIGHT TIE ROD END HAD BEEN BENT AND NOT REPAIRED, THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE NEW TIRES. I THEN REPLACED THE RIGHT TIE ROD END AND HAD ALL FOUR WHEELS ALIGNED. AS THE TIRES HAD A TREAD WEAR RATING OF 620, I FIGURED THERE WERE GOOD FOR MANY MILES. IN LATE JULY, 2006, THE CAR HAD 32K MILES. I WAS HEARING A LOUD "SLAPPING" SOUND ON THE FRONT END. TAKING THE CAR TO A COSTCO CAR CENTER, THEY DETERMINED THAT BOTH TIRES HAD TREAD SEPARATION, REQUIRING IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. THE TIRES HAD LESS THAN 25K MILES ON THEM. THE CAR HAS A LIFETIME FOUR-WHEEL ALIGNMENT POLICY FROM FIRESTONE EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT, AND THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAS BEEN CHECKED ABOUT EVERY 3-4K MILES. THESE TIRES APPARENTLY HAD A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THEIR IDENTIFICATION IS MASTERCRAFT SENSY 01, 225 60 R16 M&S 98T, DOT 3DX3 FMW 3302, NOT AS DESCRIBED BY YOUR FORM BELOW WHICH HAS INCOMPLETE INFO USE ONLY THE INFO IN THIS PARAGRAPH TO DESCRIBE MODEL, SIZE AND DOT NUMBER. I SUGGEST THIS DEFECT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THE TIRES WERE LEFT AT COSTCO AND ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE, BUT I HAVE THEIR WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM. YOUR COMMENTS PLEASE. THANK YOU. *JB

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE BACK WINDOW OF THE CAR FLEW OFF IN ONE PIECE AND SHATTERED ON THE ROAD. THERE WAS NOTHING ABOUT THE WINDOW THAT WAS UNUSUAL OR DAMAGED PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THE CONTACT'S UNATTENDED GRANDCHILD SHIFTED THE COLUMN SHIFT AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED DOWNHILL AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED MODERATE DAMAGE TO THE REAR AND LEFT SIDE PANEL AREA. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED INTO FIRST GEAR WHEN TRAVELING 65 MPH WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON 6 OCCASIONS. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND ONE MINUTE LATER SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINE A SEAL ON THE DISCONNECTED EMITTING FLUID WHICH CAUSED THE SMOKE.

THE INTREPID HAS A HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE, THIS CAN BE DEADLY AT ANY GIVEN TIME. ONCE I WAS DRIVING ON ROUTE 22 AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUST TRYING TO CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF STEPPING ON THE GAS. THAT'S A TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN DEALER WAITING FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPAIRED. *JB

THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2002 DODGE INTREPID AND I HAD IT ANALYZED AND SERVICED. THE COMPUTER ANALYSIS INDICATED THAT THE CAR NEEDED 4 OXYGEN SENSORS. I HAD THESE REPLACED AT THE COST OF ABOUT $600.00 AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH AND ACTING LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. THE COMPUTER INDICATED THAT I NEED A MAP SENSOR. BUT ON FURTHER INSPECTION THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT I NEED 4 FUEL INJECTORS. THE CAR IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD AND IT IS FALLING APART. IT HAS ALMOST STALLED ON ME PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND ACROSS ROADWAYS. SINCE THE REPAIRS ARE NOT COMPLETE I DO NOT KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, OIL THINNING UNIT, AND HARMONIC BALANCER HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED. THERE WAS CONCERN EXPRESSED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS 69000 MILES ON IT.

WHILE DRIVING A 2002 DODGE INTREPID, THE ENGINE SEIZED UP. NO WARNING LIGHTS. OIL WAS CHECKED AND PROPER LEVEL WAS DETERMINED JUST PRIOR TO INCIDENT. MILEAGE WAS JUST UNDER 75,000. *JB

OIL LIGHT CAME ON WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHTS. CHANGED THE OIL WITH 10W40 AND SEEMED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE WEATHER STARTED TO GET HOT. 2 WEEKS AGO WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT, MY TRANSMISSION SHIFTED DOWN HARD. WHEN I STARTED TO LEAVE THE INTERSECTION, I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. I CAN TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART AND RUNS FINE FOR A WHILE. NOW ITS DOING THIS PRETTY REGULAR. *JB

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT WAS A SENSOR AND REPLACED IT...THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO. KNOCKING SOUND STARTED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO AND THEN CAR ENGINE DIED IN TRAFFIC 2 TIMES. GOT THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THEN THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE DIED FOR GOOD. TOOK IT TO ONE SHOP WHO STATED THAT IT WAS A TIMING BELT AND WOULD NOT WORK ON IT. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE TO THE TUNE OF $6,500.00. STATED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE OF SLUDGE BUILD UP AND NOT CHANGING OIL REGULARLY. CAR WAS SERVICED EVERY 2 TO 3K MILES FOR OIL CHANGES. CAR WAS TAKEN CARE OF AND YET DIES @ 50,000. MILES? THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO FORCE DODGE TO OWN UP TO THE FAILURES AND BUY US CONSUMERS NEW ENGINES THAT WILL LAST LONGER THAN 50,000. MILES! I STILL OWE $8,000. ON THIS VEHICLE! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE MADE A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS EXCESSIVE SLUDGE BUILD UP WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE ROD TO FRACTURE. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED REPLACING THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING CAR TO STORE ON 2 JUNE 2006, INTREPID ENGINE SHUTTERED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHUTTERING STOPPED AND ENGINE RUNS SMOOTH BUT LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. MAR 2006 ENGINE OIL CHANGE WAS ACCOMPLISHED ALONG WITH A ENGINE FLUSH BY ED'S TIRE SERVICE, FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA. JULY 2005 CAR FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE OF A BAD BATTERY, WHICH WAS DIFFICULT TO REPLACE. BETWEEN 2002-2004 FRONT ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE, ONCE BY THE DODGE DEALERSHIP FOR $150.00 THEN ONCE BY ME FOR $60.00. THIS SLUDGE BUILDUP PROBLEM THAT DODGE REFUSES TO FIX IS BECOMING STUPID! THEY ARE MAKING THE MONEY OFF OF US, THEY TO AT LEAST OWN UP TO THEIR DESIGN FLAW AND FIX THE PROBLEM. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET SLUDGE OUT OF THE ENGINE OTHER THAN TEARING IT DOWN? *NM

ENGINE BLEW A BEARING AT 92,000 MILES, WAS TOLD BY 2 DIFFERENT REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOPS TO SCRAP ENGINE THAT ITS NOT WORTH FIXING. LEARNED THAT OIL FLOW DEFECTS CAUSE THIS PROBLEM ON DODGE 2.7L ENGINE. *NM

2002 DODGE INTREPID SE; TIMING CHAIN PROBLEMS,HYDRAULIC TENSIONER, MOTOR SEIZED UP. *JB

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME ON MAY 4, 2006 IN HER 2002 DODGE INTREPID, AS SHE WAS DRIVING UP A HILL THANKFULLY NOT DOWN A HILL HER ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A KNOCKING NOISE LIKE THERE WAS NO OIL IN HER VEHICLE, HER OIL WAS CHANGED 400 MILES PREVIOUS TO THIS INCIDENT HER ENGINE SEIZED UP AND NOW WILL NOT RUN. IT WAS TOWED TO A NEARBY GARAGE AND THE OIL WAS CHECKED AND FOUND TO BE CLEAN AND FILLED TO THE REQUIRED CAPACITY. AND WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE WAS KNOWN TO BE DEFECTIVE. I AM NOW CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR AN ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT AM HAVING TROUBLE BECAUSE THESE ENGINES ARE JUNK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!*JB

WHILE DRIVING ON PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH TURNPIKE (WEST) THE OIL LIGHT FLASHED ON AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE FAILURE OF THE MOTOR REQUIRED THAT MY WIFE, 1 YEAR OLD SON AND I SIT IN THE DALLAS HEAT FOR NEARLY 45 MINUTES WHILE WAITING FOR A CAB TO TAKE MY WIFE AND SON TO THE AIRPORT ($50 EXPENSE) AND I WAITED ON THE TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO OUR HOUSE ($125 TOW BILL). NOT TO MENTION I WILL BE EXPECTED TO INCUR A $7000.00 BILL IN ORDER TO FIX THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE. *JB

I BOUGHT A 2002 DODGE INTREPID SE IN MARCH 2003 WITH ABOUT 20K MILES ON IT. HAD IT CHECKED BY A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD ALL WAS GOOD. $1,420 TO REPAIR THE WATER PUMP? THE ENGINE MADE A SOUND, SHOOK SLIGHTLY WHICH MADE ME LOOK AT THE GAUGES TO SEE WHAT WAS UP. THE ONLY THING I SAW WAS THAT THE TEMPERATURE WAS A LITTLE TINY BIT OVER THE HALFWAY MARK. USUALLY, THIS GAUGE SITS WITHOUT CHANGING ONCE THE CAR IS WARMED UP BETWEEN THE 1/4 AND 1/2 MARK. RECOMMEND: ANY SERVICE SHOP THAT CHANGES THE OIL IN A CAR SHOULD INPUT THAT SERVICE INTO A NATIONAL COMPUTER SYSTEM SO THAT ANYWHERE PEOPLE DRIVE, MOVE, VISIT, THAT RECORD IS PERMANENT. THAT IS MY FIRST SUGGESTIONS. THEN SHE ASKED ME IF THE CAR HAD OVERHEATED. ANSWER: NO. SHE SAID THE ESTIMATE TO REPAIR THE CAR WAS $1,300 AND IF THE HEADS WERE CRACKED THAT COULD COST ANOTHER $700. I WAS LIKE, "WHAT?" SAY THAT AGAIN. THE WAY THE 2.7L ENGINE IS BUILT, THE REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE. I ASKED IF IT WAS WORTH REPLACING AND SHE SAID IT WAS..SHE COULDN'T ADVISE ME...BUT YOU KNOW HOW IT IS. THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM CONFINED TO MY CAR - IT HAS AFFECTED A FLEET OF THEM...SAME TYPE..SAME ENGINE. AFTER I DROVE OFF THE LOT, I HEARD A TICKING NOISE. I ASKED ABOUT THE NOTES ON THE MECHANIC'S TICKET THAT SAID, "* ENGINE HAS SLUDGE". NO ONE EVER MENTIONED THAT TO ME AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS, EITHER, SO I ASKED. WHAT'S THAT? SHE SAID, "THAT'S JUST THE MECHANIC'S NOTES FOR WHEN YOU BRING IT BACK." I SAID, "...YES...BUT WHAT IS IT?" THEN A MECHANIC APPEARED AN

I HAVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. IN 2003 I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. NOW IN 2006 I'VE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN . I TOOK IT TO DAYTONA DODGE AND THEY SAID IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AGAIN. THEN THEY CALLED ME ABOUT 4 DAYS LATER AND SAID I NEEDED A ENGINE BLOCK TOO BECAUSE THE EAR THAT LINES UP THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKE. THEY ALSO SAID I NEEDED TO CALL MY CAR INS. BECAUSE IT WAS DUE TO A IMPACT. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT BOTH CHRYSLER AND ALLSTATE HAVE DENIED ME TWICE I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I FELL THEY MESSED UP WHEN I HAD THE WORK DONE THE FIRST TIME BY NOT LINING IT UP RIGHT. THE CAR HAS BEEN THERE SINCE JAN. 26. I'VE HAD TO RENT CARS FOR ABOUT 2000.00 (25.00 A DAY) TILL I COULDN'T AFFORD IT ANY MORE I BOUGHT A 600.00 CAR AND THE DODGE IS STILL THERE I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND ANOTHER LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. IT WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE ENGINE RESTARTED; HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE AND WOULD ONLY OPERATE AT 10 MPH. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE COASTED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS WHEN THE ENGINE SEIZED. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE WATER FROM THE RADIATOR WAS IN THE ENGINE. THERE WAS WATER IN THE OIL, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SEIZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE ENGINE LOCKED UP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT OF THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM CONCERNING THE 2.7 ENGINES. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACED.

I DRIVE A WELL MAINTAINED 2002 DODGE INTREPID. MY ENGINE FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS INJURED. I HAVE BEEN SEARCHING ONLINE FOR ANOTHER ENGINE AND FOUND SEVERAL WEBSITES WITH POSTS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH INTREPID OWNERS. I REALLY DON'T WANT TO BUY A NEW ENGINE AND KEEP THIS CAR IF THERE IS A FLAW IN THE 2.7 LITER ENGINES. IF THIS IS SUCH A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THESE ENGINES, WHY IS CHRYSLER NOT RECALLING THEM. I WILL BE LOOKING INTO THE CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST CHRYSLER. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. UPDATED 4/17/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE ENGINE FAILED. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WENT TO HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIMING CHAIN FAILED WHICH CAUSED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. UPDATED 05/10/06. *JB

TRANSMISSION STARTED FAILING TO GO INTO GEAR. REVVED UP RPM'S TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO SHIFT. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR. CAR WOULD STALL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT FROM STOP AND WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. *JB

2002 DODGE INTREPID ENGINE STOP WORKING. CAR WILL NOT START. *NM

MY USED 2002 DODGE INTREPID WITH A CHRYSLER 2.7 ENGINE STARTED KNOCKING LIKE CRAZY AFTER STOPPING ON ME SEVERAL TIMES WHILE DRIVING. THE FIRST EXPENSIVE "REPAIR" TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM WAS REPLACEMENT OF A FUEL PUMP AND A "FUEL PUMP CONT MODULE CARTER ELECTRIC FUEL ASS" WHICH HAD CRACKED (345.00 FOR THE PART, $600.00 FOR THE "REPAIR"). TWO WEEKS LATER THE ENGINE WAS KNOCKING EVEN MORE LOUDLY AND I WAS INFORMED BY PEP BOYS THAT THE ENGINE WAS SHOT--LOCKED UP--AND THAT I SHOULD HAVE IT TOWED TO A DODGE DEALER. $172.00 LATER, THE DODGE DEALER HAD TOWED MY CAR AND TOLD ME THE SAME THING. THE WARRANTY COMPANY DEMANDED OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE RECEIPTS WHICH WE COULD NOT PRODUCE AS WE HAVE FRIENDS WHO CHANGE THE OIL FOR US. WE WERE TOLD BY SEVERAL ENGINE REPAIR COMPANIES WE CONTACTED (TRYING TO FIND AN AFFORDABLE OPTION) THAT THE 2.7 ENGINE HAD A DEFECTIVE TIMING CHAIN WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW OIL TO PASS THROUGH AND BE BURNED PROPERLY, CAUSING SLUDGE TO BUILD UP AND DESTROY THE ENGINE. OF COURSE DODGE AND THE WARRANTY COMPANY "BLAMED" IT ON OUR "POOR MAINTENANCE"--WE STILL OWE 9,000 ON THE CAR!!!--THE CURRIE MOTORS DODGE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE $750.00 TO "TEAR DOWN" THE ENGINE, THEN SAID THEY COULD PUT IN A REFURBISHED ENGINE FOR $5300.00!! NO APOLOGIES FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE ENGINE. NO CONSIDERATION WHATEVER. THEY SEEMED GLEEFUL THAT THEY WERE GOING TO MAKE SO MUCH MONEY FROM OUR DISTRESS! EACH ENGINE REPLACEMENT COMPANY WE CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE COST OF REPLACING AN ENGINE ASKED,

RADIATOR PRESSURE VALVE FAILED.TWO MONTHS LATER THE WATER PUMP FAILED. AT THIS TIME THE OIL SENSOR LIGHT WOULD COME BLINK, BUT NOT THAT OFTEN. WHEN I WENT TO GFET THE WATER PUMP FIXED THE TOLD ME THE TIMIMG CHAIN WAS LOOSE. I DIDNT REPLACE IT BECAUSE I DIDNT HAVE MONEY AT THE TIME. TWO MONTHS LATED I TAKE MY CAR TO THE SHOP TO GET THE BELT REPLACE. THEY TOLD ME THAT WHO EVER REPLACED THE WATER PUMP FAILED BENT SOME NUT CONNECTED TO THE PULLY. *AK

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE THEN SPUTTERED, THE ENGINE DIED, AND THE VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT START. THE NEXT MORNING THERE WAS ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. *NM UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

THE OIL LIGHT FLICKERS WHEN I SLOW DOWN, AND WHEN I AM AT IDLE AT A LIGHT, THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON AND ONLY GOES AWAY WHEN I ACCELERATE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE BEARINGS AND/OR OIL PUMP NEED REPLACING BEFORE ANY MORE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE STARTS WITH THE ENGINE. I HAVE CALLED AUTO SHOPS AND NO ONE GIVES ME A STRAIGHT ANSWER ON WHAT IT IS. ALL I KNOW IS THAT REPAIRS ARE VERY EXPENSIVE. THIS IS HORRIBLE, ITS ONLY A 2002!*JB

ENGINE SLUDGE OIL PUMP. *JB

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON FRIDAY MORNING. IT WAS COLD SO I LET THE CAR WARM UP BEFORE DRIVING. I TURNED A CORNER AND THE CAR DIED. I HAD TO PUSH IT HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE ENGINE IS GONE. NO WARNING OR INDICATION AT ALL THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG! IT JUST DIED WHILE I WAS DRIVING! *NM

I DRIVE A 2002 DODGE INTREPID. I BOUGHT THIS CAR AS A SECOND OWNER, PREVIOUS OWNER A RENTAL AGENCY. THE CAR BLEW A ROD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH. I TOOK IT TO A DEALERSHIP THAT STATES THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW ENGINE, PRICING THE REPAIR AT 6700 DOLLARS. THE CARS BLUE BOOK IS 6000 AT THIS WRITING. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TWO YEARS AGO, AND IT HAS LESS THAN 68,000 MILES ON IT. I AM AT A LOSS AND LOOKING FOR RECOURSE. *NM

MY WIFE'S 2002 DODGE INTREPID, HAS OPERATED WELL UNTIL A WEEK AGO. AFTER ABOUT TEN MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THE TRANSMISSION DROPS HARSHLY INTO SECOND GEAR AND STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY, BUSY STREET. A TRIP TO OUR LONG TRUSTED MECHANIC REVEALED A COMMON KNOWN PROBLEM WITHIN THE AUTO REPAIR INDUSTRY THAT THE 2.7L CHRYSLER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION USUALLY NEEDS REPLACEMENT AT ABOUT 50K ON THE 1998-2002 INTREPID MODELS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND CAREFULLY OPERATED SINCE PURCHASING. THE OPENING OF THE TRANSMISSION BY MY MECHANIC REVEALED NO METAL FILINGS WITHIN THE SYSTEM. A CHANGE OF SENSOR, FILTER, AND FLUIDS WERE HOPPED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE WARNING BY MY MECHANIC TO START SAVING UP QUICKLY FOR MORE TRANSMISSION WORK SOON FROM HIS EXPERIENCE WITH THIS MODEL. TWO DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM RECURRED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I CONTACTED CHRYSLER ON NOVEMBER 10, 2005, SPOKE TO DAVEY, TO MAKE A CASE FILE CLAIM REPORT. I ASKED WHAT WILL BE DONE IN MY SITUATION. DAVEY TRANSFERRED ME TO ANOTHER PERSON. FORTY MINUTES LATER, TONY PICKED UP THE PHONE. I ASKED WHAT CHRYSLER WILL DO AS THE CAR IS ABOUT A YEAR OUT OF WARRANTY. HIS RESPONSE WAS 'NOTHING'. WHEN I ASKED TO HAVE A CONTACT NUMBER TO SPEAK WITH THE CHRYSLER ZONE MANGER, TONY STATED THAT THERE WAS 'PRIORITY INFORMATION' AND HE WOULD NOT GIVE OUT THAT INFORMATION. TONY ALSO STATED THAT EVEN IF HE DID IT WOULD DO NO GOOD AS THEY WOULD DO NOTHING EITHER. I COMPLETED MY DISCOURAGING CO

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE CAR QUICKLY OVERHEATED. SHE IMMEDIATELY PULLED VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED IT OFF. SHE WAS LEFT STRANDED OVER 25 MILES FROM OUR HOME ON FOOT. LATER THAT DAY AFTER IT HAD COOLED DOWN I ADDED COOLANT AND DROVE IT ABOUT 2 MILES TO A SMALL REPAIR SHOP. THEY ADVISED ME THAT EITHER THE HEAD GASKET WAS BLOWN OR THE BLOCK WAS CRACKED. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. THEY ADVISED ME MY MOTOR WAS BLOWN AS A RESULT OF OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. THEY CONCLUDED THIS AFTER REMOVING ONLY THE VALVE COVER ON ONE SIDE. BEFORE ASKING ME FOR EITHER A MAINTENANCE LOG OR OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS I WAS INFORMED THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO OWNER NEGLECT. WHEN I PROTESTED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER I WAS ASKED TO PRODUCE RECEIPTS. UPON SEEING THAT THERE WAS A 4000 MILE LAPSE BETWEEN OIL CHANGES WARRANTY COVERAGE WAS DENIED. I WAS EVEN CHARGED $225 TO EXAMINE MY CAR TO DENY WARRANTY COVERAGE. I HAVE REPEATEDLY REQUEST THAT THE CHRYSLER ZONE MANAGER BE PUT IN TOUCH WITH ME TO NO AVAIL. MY CAR SITS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE STILL COMPLETELY DISABLED AS I CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS. *NM